Groundwork
in the Northwest

Groundwork Northwest is giving social landlords the chance to bid for £40,000 to help transform neighbourhoods.

The Great Estates Innovation Fund is a new development opportunity designed to change communities and the lives of tenants.

Registered social landlords are being invited to work with Groundwork on bids which will be a beacon for others to follow.

The successful proposal will address the challenges being faced by North West communities by such things as the recession and climate change, as well as more common problems such as anti-social behaviour.

Examples could be the transformation of a piece of derelict land into a community allotment or helping to developing a works team of local unemployed people to look after the estate.

Projects will need to deliver 21st century solutions to the problems tenants face in their everyday lives. Proposals could include engaging young people, giving tenants new skills and experience, and changing their neighbourhood environment.

RSLs will work alongside Groundwork in developing bids and the successful one will be able to call upon its expertise in bringing the bid to life. An independent panel of experts will pick the winner.

All we ask is that projects must

be innovative and meet Groundwork  and HCA objectives;

there must be a commitment to match the £40k grant;

projects are to be North West based

carried out in conjunction with  the local Groundwork Trust.

Interested? The next step couldn’t be easier.

Contact Groundwork’s Neil Hewertson (nhewertson@groundwork,org.uk) for an informal chat or with an outline of what you have in mind and if it fits the criteria we’ll send an application form out.

RSLs will then need to team up with their local Groundwork Trust in drawing up a bid. Closing date is 13 November, 2009.

The winning proposal will be announced by the end of November, with projects expected to begin no later than March 2010.